Looks like Europe not getting away from the US anytime soon

De-paywalled archive: https://archive.is/37gzz

Palestine Action will join more than 80 groups banned as terrorist organizations by the British government, including the Islamic State, Hamas, Hezbollah and Al Qaeda, as well as Atomwaffen Division, a white supremacist group.

Jonathan Hall, the British government’s top adviser on terrorism laws, told The New York Times that to his knowledge the ban of Palestine Action would be the “first time that a group has been proscribed on the basis of serious damage to property” in Britain, rather than because of the use of, or support for, serious violence.

The law will make it a criminal offense to be a member of Palestine Action, to raise funds for the group or to “invite support” for it, to arrange meetings, to display its logo or to fail to disclose information about any banned activities to the police.

After this goes through, the following offences will apply: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/proscribed-terror-groups-or-organisations--2/proscribed-terrorist-groups-or-organisations-accessible-version

Proscription offences

Proscription makes it a criminal offence to:

• belong, or profess to belong, to a proscribed organisation in the UK or overseas (section 11 of the act)
• invite support for a proscribed organisation (the support invited need not be material support, such as the provision of money or other property, and can also include moral support or approval) (section 12(1))
• express an opinion or belief that is supportive of a proscribed organisation, reckless as to whether a person to whom the expression is directed will be encouraged to support a proscribed organisation (section 12(1A))
• arrange, manage or assist in arranging or managing a meeting in the knowledge that the meeting is to support or further the activities of a proscribed organisation, or is to be addressed by a person who belongs or professes to belong to a proscribed organisation (section 12(2)); or to address a meeting if the purpose of the address is to encourage support for, or further the activities of, a proscribed organisation (section 12(3))
• wear clothing or carry or display articles in public in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that the individual is a member or supporter of a proscribed organisation (section 13)
• publish an image of an item of clothing or other article, such as a flag or logo, in the same circumstances (section 13(1A))

What are the penalties for a proscription offence?

The penalties for proscription offences under sections 11 and 12 are a maximum of 14 years in prison and/or a fine. The maximum penalty for a section 13 offence is 6 months in prison and/or a fine not exceeding £5,000.

Key Event
5m ago
BREAKING: Trump says US has struck Iranian nuclear facilities

By Andrew Thorpe

US President Donald Trump says the United States has completed a "very successful" attack on three nuclear sites in Iran, including the Fordow, Nataz and Isfahan facilities.

"A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow," he writes.

"All planes are safely on their way home. Congratulations to our great American Warriors."

A screenshot of Donald Trump's post on his Truth Social network. (Truth Social)

cross-posted from: https://scribe.disroot.org/post/3183624

Archived version

...

While the United States and China compete for global AI leadership, the EU has opened an alternative rights-based route in the ongoing battle of AI norms, which seems to resonate with Australia’s vision and interests.

These conversations are making their way to Pacific island countries that are starting their AI adoption journeys. The technology could help address some of their most pressing challenges, but as a region at the crossroads of geopolitical influences they will have to take their pick in the battle of AI norms.

Pacific island countries are starting to implement digital strategies and have ‘a late-mover advantage to selectively adopt best AI practices from the US, China and the EU’, according to a report by the AI Asia Pacific Institute. The Pacific is already a geostrategic battlefield of the China-US rivalry and AI emerges as the latest arena for influence.

...

Pacific island countries could also be affected by the lesser-known consequences of AI, particularly its environmental impact. Energy-ravenous AI systems drive up power demand, exacerbating climate change effects. The region is already on the frontline of global warming. AI adoption should be accompanied by a rapid transition to renewable energy sources.

...

Between these two geopolitical and normative poles [of the U.S. and China], the EU emerged last year as a creative force. In its search for strategic autonomy and to appear as a credible normative power, it adopted the AI Act after months of negotiations. This safety legislation introduces different obligations for AI products and services sold on the EU market, adjusted to their level of societal risks. To avoid stifling innovation, the EU paired the legislation with an initiative to mobilise €200 billion for AI development.

...

Australia is also acting in this battle of AI norms in the Pacific. For example, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade organised a series of side events on AI adoption in the Asia-Pacific at the Paris AI Action Summit.

...

Report in Spanish: https://www.miteco.gob.es/es/prensa/ultimas-noticias/2025/junio/se-presenta-el-informe-del-comite-de-analisis-de-la-crisis-elect.html

Archived

Britain, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway said Tuesday they have imposed sanctions on two far-right Israeli government ministers for allegedly “inciting extremist violence” against Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich face asset freezes and travel bans from the five countries. The ministers are champions of expanding Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

The decision by Western governments friendly to Israel was a sharp rebuke of Israel’s settlement policies in the West Bank and of settler violence, which has spiked since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack ignited the war in the Gaza Strip.

The five countries’ foreign ministers said in a joint statement that Ben-Gvir and Smotrich “have incited extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights. Extremist rhetoric advocating the forced displacement of Palestinians and the creation of new Israeli settlements is appalling and dangerous.”

[...]

The Biden administration took the rare step of sanctioning radical Israeli settlers implicated in violence in the occupied West Bank — sanctions that were then lifted by [U.S.]President Donald Trump.

Eitay Mack, an Israeli human rights lawyer who spent years campaigning for the sanctions on Smotrich and Ben-Gvir — along with violent West Bank settlers — described the move as “historic.”

[...]

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.sdf.org/post/36438967

His visit to meet counterpart Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin in Jakarta came weeks after Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made Indonesia his first foreign trip following his landslide election win.

[Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles] Marles said the alliance with Indonesia stood on its own terms, but concerns about China's military build-up in the region influenced Australia's foreign policy thinking.

"We've made no secret of the fact that we have a security anxiety in relation to China. We've made that clear to China itself," Marles, who also serves as deputy prime minister, told journalists in the Indonesian capital.

[...]

"You just need to look at the map to understand how strategically important Indonesia is to Australia. Its geography is profoundly important," he said.

"That's actually what's driving the increase in the activity between Australia and Indonesia."

Marles and Sjafrie discussed greater cooperation "in relation to maritime domain awareness", which would see their militaries share more information about the waters they share, the Australian minister said.

"The relationship between Australia and Indonesia has never been in better shape," he said.

[...]

cross-posted from: https://aussie.zone/post/21470065

Australia's sanctions against two far-right Israeli government ministers have been condemned by the US secretary of state, Marco Rubio.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Wednesday morning announced Australia would join New Zealand, Canada, Norway and the United Kingdom in sanctioning Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich.

YouTube video of news report that starts with the footage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t42UBBolOvo

In short:

The 12 people aboard the Madleen, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, have been detained by Israeli authorities.

They said the aid they were trying to deliver — including baby formula, food and medical supplies — was also confiscated.

What's next?

Israel's Defence Minister said the ship was making its way safely to the shore, and those who had been detained would be returned to their home countries.

In short:

The three bosses of Papua New Guinea's ICAC have accused each other of criminal activity, including suspected corruption and abuse of power.

A warrant has been issued for the Australian commissioner's arrest, while he has accused his two deputies of misconduct and referred them to police.

Staff say the feud between the three commissioners has left the organisation "completely dysfunctional" and on the edge of collapse.

Several sources have told the ABC almost all the agency's expatriate staff, including multiple Australians, are likely to resign, stripping the organisation of expertise needed to fight corruption.

They have described an environment of "chaos".

One staff member, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the situation was "disgraceful" and the organisation had become "completely dysfunctional".

SBS coverage: https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/us-says-hamas-response-to-gaza-ceasefire-proposal-unacceptable-after-it-seeks-changes/euhx9mex8

More killed today: https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/three-killed-dozens-injured-after-israeli-forces-open-fire-near-gaza-aid-site-medics-say/41vksvc2a

After a crucial undersea power cable was cut unexpectedly on Christmas Day, NATO forces sprang into action. Their mission? Stopping Russia's "ghost ships".

De-paywalled archive link: https://archive.is/W3bV2 (thanks @BeliefPropagator)

In short:

Five-year-old Ward Sheikh Khalil miraculously escaped an Israeli strike on a school where she was sheltering with her family in Gaza City.

Her mother and five siblings were killed, but her father and brother survived and are in hospital.

What's next?

Global leaders are growing increasingly concerned about Israel's conduct in Gaza.

Wayback archive: https://web.archive.org/web/20250527110228/https://www.smh.com.au/world/oceania/new-zealand-teenager-dies-playing-run-it-straight-challenge-linked-to-viral-trend-20250527-p5m2pm.html